I think most of the people are just a bit off on the whole matter. The majority of comments seem to feel that Fagen is being ironic or sarcastic. But I think that isn't quite what is going on here. I think he is looking back in 1957 when he was 9 and he has fond memories of those times. Sure everything didn't quite work out like everybody thought, but I think he is looking at it from a more wistful vibe than the classic Steely Dan hipster smart alec teenagers sitting in the back row aura.
There is a bit of evidence to support my theory. In interviews and the like he has always said he was kind of embarrassed and somewhat went into hiding because this album was my far his most personal. He was revealing an actual fondness for the good ole days which is most un Steely Dan like. Of course, there IS tons of irony...but the whole album is clearly a loving homage to the 1957-1963 era. Sure...lots of the lyrics in the album may be construed as "wry" but I think the entire album was a loving look back to when he was a sci fi geek kid and saying "Hey maybe the old days were actually pretty good". Remember, at this point he was 34, Steely Dan was done and he was getting older.
@JamesLove the line “programmed by fellas of compassion and vision” is the utmost sarcasm. May have even been speaking directly of Kruschev and Eisenhower since they were both military guys who probably lacked compassion and vision
@JamesLove the line “programmed by fellas of compassion and vision” is the utmost sarcasm. May have even been speaking directly of Kruschev and Eisenhower since they were both military guys who probably lacked compassion and vision
I think most of the people are just a bit off on the whole matter. The majority of comments seem to feel that Fagen is being ironic or sarcastic. But I think that isn't quite what is going on here. I think he is looking back in 1957 when he was 9 and he has fond memories of those times. Sure everything didn't quite work out like everybody thought, but I think he is looking at it from a more wistful vibe than the classic Steely Dan hipster smart alec teenagers sitting in the back row aura.
There is a bit of evidence to support my theory. In interviews and the like he has always said he was kind of embarrassed and somewhat went into hiding because this album was my far his most personal. He was revealing an actual fondness for the good ole days which is most un Steely Dan like. Of course, there IS tons of irony...but the whole album is clearly a loving homage to the 1957-1963 era. Sure...lots of the lyrics in the album may be construed as "wry" but I think the entire album was a loving look back to when he was a sci fi geek kid and saying "Hey maybe the old days were actually pretty good". Remember, at this point he was 34, Steely Dan was done and he was getting older.
@JamesLove the line “programmed by fellas of compassion and vision” is the utmost sarcasm. May have even been speaking directly of Kruschev and Eisenhower since they were both military guys who probably lacked compassion and vision
@JamesLove the line “programmed by fellas of compassion and vision” is the utmost sarcasm. May have even been speaking directly of Kruschev and Eisenhower since they were both military guys who probably lacked compassion and vision